Sisterhood board member Mary Ann Sack with Alexa Drescher, future Sisterhood member. Photo Contributed
Want to get a jump on holiday shopping – but also have the opportunity to make a difference in the community? The 28th annual Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique is a community bazaar that affords shoppers the opportunity to find a variety of holiday gifts for everyone on their lists. It also offers them a chance to shop not only for themselves and their loved ones — but to also “shop for a cause.” The Holiday Boutique will take place on Sunday, Nov. 16 through Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center, 11810 Falls Road, Potomac. Admission is free.
This year, with domestic violence on the rise, the women of the WHC Sisterhood are supporting organizations that provide programs and education to prevent domestic abuse: Jewish Women International (JWI), the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA), and the Carrie Simon House, a local WHC-sponsored transitional home for moms and their babies who are escaping from abuse situations.
JWI is an international community of Jewish women who “work to ensure that all women and girls thrive in healthy relationships, control their financial futures and realize the full potential of their personal strength.” This organization sponsors healthy relationship workshops for girls, financial literacy workshops for young women and their parents, and also inspire young women to become leaders. They serve as advocates for the International Violence Against Women Act as well as participate in and financially support domestic violence prevention training.
JCADA, located in Rockville, has the mission of “supporting victims of domestic abuse to become empowered and obtain safe environments; educating community professionals and others about domestic abuse and appropriate responses to it; and preventing future generations from suffering domestic abuse by raising awareness.” The Carrie Simon House (named for the first WHC Sisterhood president and wife of WHC Rabbi Abram Simon) provides housing, education and job training for abused women to support them in making new lives for themselves and their children.
Domestic violence is an epidemic that affects individuals in every community, regardless of race, age, economic status, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the U.S. This equates to more than 10 million men and women in the US. Globally, 35 percent of women experience sexual or physical violence each year, with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries and 3 million girls experience female genital mutilation.
Deborah Goldman, president of WHC Sisterhood, said, “We are thrilled that the funds from the boutique will help women world-wide as well victims within our community. Our goal is to raise awareness as well as to support programs that will help end the growing problems caused by domestic violence. We also help to support many other charities – among them are MADD, JSSA, Save the Children and many others.”
The Holiday Boutique will feature more than 50 vendors — everything from fine jewelry, clothing and toys to stationery, cosmetics and home décor — providing a range of gift ideas at all price points. Vendor Chair Sandy Nesbit said, “This year we have 20 new vendors, many of them local but also some from outside the D.C. area. We are pleased to support local small businesses. Just a few of the many vendors who will be at the boutique are Faye Mendelsohn Cosmetics, Bow’s Etc., Create-a-Plaque, Dreams to Your Door, Zara and Susan Koehn Designs.We feature so many wonderful vendors that people come back year-after-year to shop, participate in the Silent Auction and purchase the excellent food that we serve.”
The Silent Auction is also popular with a multitude of baskets filled with highly sought-after themed gifts. These include tickets to sporting events – even Nationals’ dugout seats, getaways to places near and far – even the opportunity to travel to Spain, theater tickets to the Kennedy Center and Arena Stage, many restaurant gift certificates that include Seasons 52, The Palm, Capital Grille, Jaleo, Founding Farmers and other restaurants.
The Café is also popular with boutique attendees. Every year, local residents dine on goodies baked by the Sisterhood members. Hungry shoppers also enjoy deli sandwiches from Bethesda Bagel, Famous California Chicken Salad, Greek Salads, Vegetarian Chili, Lentil soup - and the most sought-after brisket and kugel. Shoppers can eat at the Bazaar or take home lunch or dinner for their loved ones.
“Working on this boutique with the rest of the Sisterhood gives you a good feeling,” As WHC member Michelle Citren said. “We have a wonderful multigenerational group of women who return year after year to make this boutique happen. It’s amazing to realize what a difference we can make in our community — and in our world.”